National Zoo Policy
Preamble
1.1 The growing awareness for nature & wildlife
conservation has made zoos a popular institution. Estimates indicate that 10%
of the world's population visit zoos every year. There are about 350 animal
collections in
1.2 While there is a history of scientific interest, conservation and welfare
of captive wild animals in the country, many zoos have evolved from menageries
and private collections, and most zoos until the last two decades were set up
mainly for entertainment and recreation. As wildlife resources were abundant in
the past, scientific knowledge about the behavioral and biological requirements
of animals did not receive adequate attention, with the result that scientific
management of wild animals in captivity has evolved slowly.
1.3 The need for making conservation as one of the main objectives of
management of zoos was realized by Government of India soon after independence
and the Indian Board of Wildlife made important recommendations in this regard.
The Government set up an Expert Committee on Management of Zoos in Noverber,1972 and its recommendations were accepted in June,1973.
The recommendations are relevant even now for improving the management of Zoos.
The National Wildlife Action Plan of 1983 again emphasized the role of ex-situ
conservation in national conservation efforts. However, because of varied
ownership patterns and divergent nature of animal collections not much was
achieved.
1.4 Today when wildlife habitats are under severe pressure and a large number
of species of wild fauna have become endangered, the zoos have not only to
sustain their own populations but also augment the depleting populations of
endangered species in the wild. This new role has been acknowledged by the
global conservation community and Article 9 of the Convention on Biological
Diversity.
1.5 As zoos are visited by a large number of visitors, zoos are a point a
potent tool for education people about the close linkage between protection of
natural areas and maintaining the life supporting processes of nature.
Well-planned and appropriately designed zoos can sensitize visitors to the
dangers of a hostile or indifferent attitude towards nature.
1.6 In
1.7 The amendment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, in 1991, provided for the
enforcement of mandatory standards and norms for management of zoos through the
Central Zoo Authority. However, it is realized that the objectives of the Act
can be achieved only through co-operation and participation of various
government agencies, non-governmental organisations
and people at large.
1.8 The National Zoo Policy aims at giving proper direction and thrust to the
management of zoos by mustering co-operation and participation of all
concerned.
Objective
2.1 The main objective of the zoos shall be to complement
and strengthen the national efforts in conservation and strengthen the national
efforts in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly
the fauna. The objective can be achieved through the following protocol :-
2.1.1 Supporting the conservation of endangered species by giving species,
which have no chance of survival in wild, a last chance of survival through coordinated
breeding under ex-situ condition and raise stocks for rehabilitating them in
wild as and when it is appropriate and desirable.
2.1.2 To inspire amongst zoo visitors empathy for wild animals, an
understanding and awareness about the need for conservation of natural
resources and for maintaining the ecological balance.
2.1.3 Providing opportunities for scientific studies
useful for conservation in general and creation of database for sharing between
the agencies involved in in-situ and ex-situ conservation
2.1.4 Besides the aforesaid objectives, the zoos shall continue to function as
rescue centres for orphaned wild animals, subject to
the availability of appropriate housing and upkeep infrastructure. Where
appropriate housing and upkeep is not available, State Government and the
Central Government would ascertain setting up rescue facilities in
off-the-display areas of the zoo, subject to the availability of land.
Strategy for Achieving the Objectives
3.1.1 Since zoos require a significant amount of
resources in the form of land, water, energy and money, no new zoo shall be set
up unless a sustained supply of resources including finance and technical
support are guaranteed.
3.1.2 Zoos shall prepare a long-term master plan for
development to ensure optimum utilisation of the
land, water, energy and finance.
3.1.3 Every Zoo shall maintain a healthy, hygienic and
natural environment in the zoo, so that the visitors get an adequate
opportunity to experience a natural environment.
3.1.4 Zoos shall give priority to endangered species in
their collection and breeding plans. The order of preference for selection of
species shall be (in descending order) locality, region, country and other
areas.
3.1.5 Zoos shall regulate the number of animals of
various species in their collection in such a way that each animal serves the
objectives of the zoo. For achieving this objective, a detailed management plan
of every species in the zoo shall be prepared.
3.1.6 Every zoo shall endeavor to avoid keeping single animals
of non-viable sex ratios of any species. They shall cooperate in pooling such
animals into genetically, demographically and socially viable groups at zoos
identified for the purpose.
3.1.7 Zoos shall avoid keeping surplus animals of
prolifically breeding species and if required, appropriate population control
measures shall be adopted.
Acquisitions of Animals
3.2.1 Except for obtaining founder animals for approved
breeding programme and infusion of new blood inbred groups, no zoo shall
collect animals from the wild.
3.2.2 Zoos shall not enter into any transaction involving violation of the law
and provisions of international conventions on wildlife conservation.
3.2.3 Zoos shall not enter into any transaction in respect of their surplus
animals with any commercial establishment. Even the animal products should not
be utilised for commercial purposes. The trophies of
the animals could, however, be used for educational or scientific purposes.
Animal Housing
3.3.1 Every animal in a zoo shall be provided housing,
upkeep and health care that can ensure a quality of life and longevity to
enable the zoo population sustain itself through procreation.
3.3.2 The enclosure for all the species displayed or kept in a zoo shall be of
such size that all animals get adequate space for free movement and exercise
and no animal is unduly dominated or harassed by any other animal.
3.3.3 Each animal enclosure in a zoo shall have appropriate shelters, perches,
withdrawal areas, wallow, pools drinking water points and such other facilities
which can provide the animals a chance to display the wide range of their
natural behaviour as well as protect them from
extremes of climate.
Upkeep of Animal Collections
3.4.1 Zoos shall provide diet to each species, which is
similar to its feed in nature. Where for unavoidable reasons any ingredients
have to be substituted, due care will be taken to ensure that the substitute
fulfills the nutritional requirement of the species.
3.4.2 For the well being of the animals, round the clock supply of portable
drinking water shall be made available to all animals kept in the zoo.
3.4.3 With the objectives of avoiding human imprinting
and domestication of animals. zoos shall prevent
physical handling of animals by the staff to the extent possible.
3.4.4 Zoos shall not allow any animal to be provoked for tortured for the the purpose of extracting any performance or tricks for the
benefit of the visitors or for any other reason.
Health Care
3.5.1 Zoos shall ensure availability of the highest standards
of veterinary care to all the animals in their collection.
3.5.2 Adequate measures shall be taken by every zoos
for implementing wildlife health and quarantine rules and regulations.
Appropriate vaccination programmes shall also be taken up for safeguarding
against infectious diseases. Timely action to isolate infected animals from the
zoo population shall be taken to avoid further spread of disease.
Research And Training
3.6.1 The zoos shall encourage research on the biology, behaviour, nutrition and veterinary aspects of animals in
their collection. They shall also endeavor for creation of expertise on zoo
architecture and landscape designing, cooperation of recognised
institutions already working in relevant fields in this regard shall be taken.
3.6.2 Zoos shall endeavor for transfer of technical skills available in the
field for zoo personnel. The Central Government, Central Zoo Authority and
State Government shall provide due support to zoos in these efforts. Assistance
of Wildlife Institute and India (WII), India Veterinary Research Institute
(IVRI) and other institutions within
3.6.3 Zoos shall also endeavour for dissemination of
information on scientific aspects of management through publication of
periodicals, journals, newsletters and special bulletins. Help of
non-governmental organisation (NGOs) and government institutions shall also be
availed in such efforts. The Central Zoo Authority shall provide technical and
financial support to the India Zoos Directors Association (IZDA) and other institutions in this regard.
Breeding programme for species
3.7.1Before taking up breeding programmes of any species,
zoos shall clearly identify the objectives for which the breeding programme is
being taken up. The targeted numbers for the programme would be decided keeping
in view the identified objectives.
3.7.2 All zoos shall cooperate in successful implementation of identified
breeding programmes by way of loaning, pooling or exchanging animals for the
programme and help creation of socially, genetically and demographically viable
groups even at the cost of reducing the number of animals or number of species
displayed in individual zoos.
3.7.3 Breeding programme shall be taken up by zoos after collection of adequate
data like biology, behaviour and other demo-graphic
factors affecting the programme. including the minimum
number of founder animals and the quantum of housing facilities available.
3.7.4 Programmes for breeding of zoo animals for re-introduction in the wild
shall be taken up after getting approval of the State Government, the Central
Zoo Authority and the Central Government as the case may be.
3.7.5 Zoos shall give priority in their breeding programmes to endangered
species representing the zoo-geographic zones in which they are located.
3.7.6 For carrying out breeding programmes in a scientific and planned manner
the zoo shall mark every individual animals involved in the programme in an
appropriate manner and maintain appropriate records.
3.7.7 Zoos shall take utmost precaution to prevent inbreeding. They shall avoid
artificial selection of traits and make no explicit or implicit attempts to
interbreed various genera, species and sub-species.
3.7.8 Special efforts shall be made to avoid human imprinting of the stocks
raised for reintroduction purposes by providing off exhibit breeding
facilities.
Education and Outreach Activity
3.8.1 Each zoo should have a well drawn-up plan for
education the visitors as well as other in the community. Zoos shall keep a
close liaison with other ex-situ facilities in this regard.
3.8.2 The central theme of the zoo education programme being the linkage
between the survival of various species and protection of their natural
habitat, enclosures which allow the animals to display natural behaviour are crucial to zoo education. Zoo shall,
therefore, display animals in such enclosures only where the animals do not
suffer physiological and psychological restraint.
3.8.3 Attractive and effective signage methods and interactive displays to
explain activities of various species to visitors, published education material
and audio-visual devices are proven methods for driving home the conservation's
message. A formal education programme should also be persuaded for
strengthening the education message.
3.8.4 Beside signage, the zoos shall also use guided tours, talks by
knowledgeable persons and audio-visual shows for effectively communicating the
message for conservation to the visitors.
3.8.5 The help of
universities, colleges and non-governmental organisation shall be taken to
educate the students about the benefits of supporting nature conservation
programmes.
Extension Activities
3.9.1 To provide the
urban population with a window to nature and to serve as green lungs for the
polluting environment, zoos shall extend their expertise and help to State
Governments and local authorities to create nature parks extending over
extensive areas near big cities.
Amenities to Visitors
3.10.1 Zoo shall provide basic civic amenities to the
visitors like toilets, drinking water points, shelters and first-aid
facilities. Ramps shall also be provided for the benefit of visitors in wheel
chairs for approach to animal enclosure and other civic amenities.
3.10.2 Zoos shall not provide any infrastructure for recreation/entertainment
of visitors that is inconsistent with the stated objective of zoos.
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